Follow along on the Jail & Behavioral Care Center development
In November 2023, Whatcom County voters approved a 0.2% tax to fund the building of a jail and behavioral care center – a replacement of the County’s jail. Previously, voters rejected similar measured proposed in 2015 and 2017.
The development of the jail and behavioral care center is underway.
About
Our communities approved a tax to build a new way to care for our most vulnerable populations. We must continue to hold our systems accountable to provide the services we voted for.
Why this matters
Some key players
The Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task force (IPRTF)
The purpose of the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force is to continually review Whatcom County’s criminal justice and behavioral health programs and make specific recommendations to safely and effectively reduce incarceration of individuals struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency, and minimize jail utilization by pretrial defendants who can safely be released.
The Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee (JPOP)
The Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee provides guidance to the IPRTF/Law & Justice Council (LJC) to monitor the progress of the Implementation Plan. The committee will prepare an annual progress report on Plan goals to be included as part of the IPRTF/LJC annual report.
Finance and Facility Advisory Board (FFAB)
- The purpose of the Finance and Facility Advisory Board (FFAB) is to provide financial oversight of the funds collected from the public safety sales and use tax and make recommendations on the finance and operations of the jail, behavioral health, and supportive housing facilities and services, aligned with a population health report on public health and safety.
Latest Updates
April 2025
STV, the architectural firm that holds a contract for the development does an overview of their tasks and timeline.
FFAB introduction to the JPOP Committee.
Village Reach updates on the Justice Project Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan.
February 2025
The JPOP begins working with Village Reach on the Justice Project Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan.
Whatcom County begins jail inmate focus groups and surveys.
January 2025
Presentation on design process & objectives – Caleb Erickson, Chief Corrections Deputy
November 2024
October 2024
The JPOP Committee holds its inaugural meeting and begin developing its 2025 action plan.
How to get involved
Attend a meeting ↓
Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force (IPRTF) Meetings | Once a month on Mondays
Justice Project Oversight & Planning (JPOP) Meetings | 3rd Thursday each month 2-4pm
Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) Meetings | 2nd Wednesday each month 4-6pm
Stay informed ↓
Share your voice ↓
Submit a public comment that will be read at the next Whatcom Racial Equity Committee meeting
Post on social media and tag us!
Instagram: @whatcomracialequity
LinkedIn: Whatcom Racial Equity Commission
Facebook: @whatcomracialequity
BlueSky: @whatcomrec.bsky.social